Stories of when cultures meet

When I was in the Netherlands, I could see some differences between Thai and Dutch families. One thing that I want to mention is about how both families treat their children.

I feel that Thai parents are too concerned about what their children do. They don't want their children to break any rules or do anything they don't want them to do. Also, parents fix the time going back home for their children, for example; I'd be back home around 6 pm or before. I think it's not late (because sometimes I want to be back late but I can't), but they feel it's a bit late. Anyway, I know that the more they love me, the more they are concerned about me.

By contrast, the Dutch families give a lot of freedom to their children. Children can do whatever they want. ANyway, if parents see that it is not good, they will give the advises. Duch parents treat their children as an adult and they are just an advisor. When I was with my host family, I can ask them for good asvises when I have problems and they never told me when I'd be back home. They just told me that if I wanna go travelling or being at home late, just let them know before. I really like the way Dutch families treat with their children. It makes children feel they have to be responsible for their lives. Not like Thai families that they treat their children as a kid.

No Comments to Family

This reminds me of Chinese travel agency's. They treat you just like a little kid… "Don't go there, you'll get lost", "No, that route is way to far to walk", "Keep up with the group"… arrrrrrrr!! I like my freedom very much and said the group goodbye. Later we would meet somewhere, that's perfectly comfortable with me 🙂

Haha, I had the same in China. "No, that path is way too long, you should go by bus." I'm not going to go through a national park sitting in a bus. We walked, and it was 'only' 35km. While they said 10.

And about Thai parents: Yes, they are very protective. I once asked my host mother if I could go to the movies with my class mates (they invited me). My mother said 'No' (in a way that left no room for discussion). When I asked why, she said 'The theatre doesn't have air conditioning, so it would be very uncomfortable for you.' I told her that that was my problem, not hers, but she wouldn't let me go…

5 years later I went back to my host family to visit. Instead of 18, I was 24 now, and used to living on my own. My mother said that I could stay with a friend of hers when I wanted to visit Phuket. I made a travel plan, taking into account that I was going to meet some friends in Bangkok on the way there. Then my host mom said: 'You're going to Phuket the day after tomorrow.' I said, no I plan to go there on Saturday. She said 'No, because you don't know if my friend has time then.' I said, well, do you know if she has time the day after tomorrow then?. She didn't.

I called her friend, asked if I could come on Saturday, and it was fine. My host mom was a bit shocked by my stubbornness, but I explained her that I was too much used to drawing my own plans by now.